The Philippines Island Circuit: El Nido, Coron & Boracay

Arrive at Manila. Private transfer and domestic flight to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Transfer to the Princesa Garden Island Resort. Marco meets you on arrival. Welcome dinner with briefing on the 12 days ahead.

UNESCO World Heritage underground river — cathedral-sized limestone chambers, extraordinary bat colonies, and Marco's expert geological commentary. Afternoon at leisure in Puerto Princesa. Overnight before the van north to El Nido.

Scenic van transfer north to El Nido with stops at Nacpan Beach. Board the resort boat to Miniloc Island. Check in to El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island. Afternoon snorkelling from the cottage jetty.

The definitive El Nido circuit, timed to arrive before the day-trip flotillas. Big Lagoon by kayak, Secret Lagoon at low tide, Shimizu Island reef snorkelling. Lunch on a deserted sandbar.

Marco's private route to the northern, less-visited islands: Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island beach, and coral snorkelling at Matinloc Shrine. Long lunch on a private sandbar.

The spectacular fast boat from El Nido to Coron — four hours through the Calamian Islands, arguably the most beautiful island-chain passage in the Philippines. Arrive in Coron town mid-afternoon. Check in to the Two Seasons Coron Island Resort, set on its own private cove. Evening walk around Coron town waterfront.

Coron's extraordinary double feature: the Okikawa Maru and Irako WWII Japanese supply ships, sunk by US aircraft in 1944 and now lying in 5–28 metres of clear water — snorkellable without a diving qualification, and among the most atmospheric underwater experiences in the world. Afternoon: Kayangan Lake — a hidden freshwater lake inside a limestone karst, reached by a short forest path. The turquoise-blue water is among the clearest in Asia.

Twin Lagoon — two connected sea-water lagoons separated by a limestone wall, passing between them through a low archway by kayak at high tide. Barracuda Lake — a volcanic lake with thermoclines creating warm and cold layers at different depths, and the largest barracuda population in the Philippines. Afternoon free at the resort cove.

Morning flight from Coron (Busuanga airport) to Kalibo or Caticlan for Boracay. Rosa meets you at the Caticlan jetty and accompanies you on the boat to Boracay. Transfer to the Shangri-La Boracay — set on the quieter northern headland of the island, above a private beach with White Beach walkable along the shoreline. Welcome dinner at the resort.

Rosa's Boracay day: White Beach at dawn, before the sun-loungers are set out — four kilometres of powdered coral sand, calm turquoise water, and the first light catching the boats at anchor. Rosa's commentary on how Boracay was closed for 6 months in 2018 for environmental rehabilitation, and what that rehabilitation achieved, is fascinating. Afternoon: Puka Shell Beach on the north coast — quieter, wilder, and where the original surfers discovered Boracay 40 years ago.

Morning snorkelling at Crocodile Island marine sanctuary — sea turtles, leopard sharks and schools of batfish in a protected reef just offshore. Afternoon free on White Beach. Evening: paraw sailing at sunset — the traditional Philippine double-outrigger sailboat, the most iconic image of Boracay, gliding along the beach in the final hour of light.

Final morning free on White Beach. Rosa accompanies you to the Caticlan jetty and onwards to the airport for your flight back to Manila. Transfer to Ninoy Aquino International Airport for your international departure.